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North Carolina Student Loans

As a graduating student in North Carolina, you are probably aware of how seriously your home state considers educational opportunities. In fact, of all the states in the country, it is entirely possible that North Carolina offers the most scholarships and grant opportunities in terms of ratio. At the same time, not everyone qualifies for such programs, and in order to assist other students who want a college degree, North Carolina student loans have been configured to make paying for college less expensive by providing low interest, long term offers.

The College Foundation of North Carolina is full of student loan options that are easy to understand and manage. If you are looking at the NC Family Education Loan Program, one of the favorites is the North Carolina EXTRA Educational Loan, offered in amounts no less than $200 and up to the full cost of tuition (after federal funding has been applied). In order to apply for such a loan, students must be attending school at least half time, and if the student doesn't have satisfactory credit history, a co-signer will be necessary for approval.

There are also loans toward supplies and equipment, as well. For example, students at UNC-Chapel Hill may be eligible for the Carolina Computing Initiative (CCI) Loan through the CFNC, which approves loans that are directly related to purchasing a laptop or desktop computer for use in college. Monthly payments are required from the start, however, unlike many standard tuition loans.

Other North Carolina student loans are offered through programs that are related specifically to the career of choice. For instance, certain professional careers are severely underrepresented in some parts of North Carolina, including health professionals, educators, or math and science majors. In order to retain these individuals where the need is great in North Carolina, applicants may eligible for loans to pursue any stage of degree in these areas in a North Carolina school. Other programs include loan forgiveness for each year that a teacher or healthcare professional agrees to work for a state hospital or school in a designated area (usually urban or rural) where more assistance is needed.

Paying for school is not easy, but we are here to help. OEDb's student finance section will help you find the money you need to pay your tuition and other college expenses. We cover scholarships, college grants, and student loans. Scholarships and grants are both forms of "free money", meaning they don't need to be paid back. Scholarships are typically awarded by businesses or individuals, with the money being earmarked specifically for tuition. They can be awarded based on a student's location or by religious affiliation, such as Catholicism or Islam. Grants are typically awarded by governments or non-profit organizations and the money often can be applied to several different expenses a student may incur, not solely tuition. They can be awarded based on location or ethnicity, for instance African American or Hispanic. Loans are not considered "free money", because unlike scholarships and grants, they do need to be paid back after graduation. Common federal loans include Perkins and Stafford. Loans are also available by location.